Order of precedence for requirements documents

Overview

FAR 11.101 establishes a mandatory hierarchy for federal agencies to follow when selecting or developing documents to define their requirements. It prioritizes performance-based results and industry-standard specifications over rigid, government-unique design requirements.

Key Rules

• Hierarchy of Precedence: Agencies must select requirements documents in the following specific order:
  1. Documents mandated by law.
  2. Performance-oriented documents (e.g., Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Objectives (SOO)).
  3. Detailed design-oriented documents.
  4. Government-issued standards and specifications for non-repetitive items.
• Industry Standards Preference: Per OMB Circular A-119, agencies must utilize "voluntary consensus standards" (e.g., ISO or IEEE standards) from the private sector instead of government-unique standards unless doing so is impractical or contrary to law.
• Agency Flexibility: Agencies are permitted to modify existing documents or create new ones to meet their specific needs, provided the established order of precedence is maintained.

Practical Implications

• Shift to Performance-Based Acquisition: By placing performance-oriented documents above design-oriented ones, the FAR encourages the government to define "what" is needed rather than "how" to do it, allowing contractors to propose innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Reduced Compliance Burden: The requirement to use voluntary consensus standards ensures that the government remains aligned with commercial marketplace practices, making it easier for commercial firms to compete for government contracts without needing to adopt specialized, government-only manufacturing or quality processes.